When you create a world to set your story in, you have to do more than draw a map. Crafting a world that feels real is a tricky task. In this panel, we give you a crash course in world building.
Description:
If you’re creating a new world to set your story in, you have to do more than draw a map. Creating a world that feels real to the reader is a tricky task. In this panel, we give you a crash course in world building. Our panelists discuss vital elements you never want to forget, the bare minimum you need to hold it all together, and tricks for getting the job done quickly so you can get back to writing.
You’ve been to our seminars and listened to our August advice. Now it’s time to apply it! We’ll give you an assignment, a little time to complete it, and then we’ll critique your efforts.
Description:
You’ve been to our workshops and seminars, listened to our August advice, and taken copious notes. Now it’s time to apply it! We’ll give you an assignment, a little time to complete it, and critique your efforts. Attendance is limited and pre-registration is required.
A good support network is invaluable to writers. Our panelists discuss a variety of support networks, from writer’s groups and university programs, to online communities and NaNoWriMo.
Description:
A good support network can make the difference between getting through a particularly tough writing assignment and never reaching the end. Our panelists discuss a variety of writer support networks, from writer’s groups and university programs, to online communities and NaNoWriMo.
Join us for a live recording of Writing Excuses, the Hugo-nominated, Parsec-award-winning podcast. The hosts will take your questions and cover everything from world-building to character conflicts.
Description:
Writing Excuses, the Hugo-nominated, Parsec-award-winning podcast for genre fiction writers will be recorded live at GenCon. Hosts Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler will take your questions, and cover everything from world-building to character conflicts.
A crash course on writing fundamentals—from the proper use of point of view to the conundrum of commas. It’s a great introduction for new writers and an excellent refresher for old pros.
Description:
A crash course on writing fundamentals! In this interactive Q & A session we cover the basics of good writing—from the proper use of point of view to the conundrum posed by commas. It’s a great introduction to the fundamentals of writing for new writers and an excellent refresher for old pros.
New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole guides you, step by step, through the intricacies of sitting down and writing your novel and helps you sidestep book-dooming errors.
Description:
New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole guides you, step by step, through the intricacies of sitting down and writing your novel. This includes specifics on the planning phases, on-the-fly development, designing a killer first chapter, and troubleshooting things like runaway characters and plots that bog down and kill the book. This seminar gets into the nuts and bolts of actually writing a novel, and will help you sidestep all the book-dooming errors that sour so many authors on actually finishing their novels.
Whether you’re facing writer’s block, churning out something you’ve lost interest in, or you don’t have time to wait for inspiration, our panelists discuss ways to get the job done.
Description:
Writing when you’re inspired is wonderful, but what do you do when you have a deadline looming and your muse has fled? Whether you’re facing writer’s block, churning out something you’ve lost interest in, or you don’t have time to wait for inspiration, our panelists discuss ways to get the job done.
When writing genre fiction, it’s tempting to look to your favorite books and movies for inspiration. Our panelists talk about looking to life as way of avoiding the clichés of genre fiction.
Description:
When writing genre fiction, it’s tempting to look to one’s favorite books and movies for inspiration. The danger in doing this is that your story may end up as little more than a retelling of someone else’s tale. Our panelists talk about looking to life for inspiration as way of creating richer stories while avoiding the tropes, conventions, and clichés of genre fiction.
Authors must often tell stories from the perspective of characters that aren’t anything like them. Learn to write convincing characters whose backgrounds are completely different from your own.
Description:
Authors must often tell stories from the perspective of characters that aren’t anything like them. In this panel, learn techniques that let you dip into the psyches of characters whose background is completely different from your own and to do it in a way that is convincing to your reader.
Is writing all about art and inspiration? Or is it more perspiration? Or is it something in-between? Our panelists debate this oft discussed topic to help you decide if you need a muse or a toolbox!
Description:
Is writing all about art and inspiration? Or is it more perspiration than inspiration? Or is it something in-between? Our panelists debate this oft discussed topic to help you decide if you need a muse or a toolbox!